Why did you vote when told not to? Muslim Congress expels Bukhari

The budget of the Colombo Municipal Council, where the National People's Power (NPP) holds power, has been passed by a majority of two votes in its second reading. The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has taken swift action to suspend the party membership of its municipal councilor who voted in favor of the budget.

The budget proposal, presented to the council for the second time today by Mayor Vrai Cally Balthazar, received 58 votes in favor and only 56 against, thus passing in the council. This victory for the ruling party comes after the budget was previously defeated by a majority of 3 votes in the first ballot held on December 22, where it received 57 votes in favor and 60 against.

However, despite the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) deciding to vote against the budget as an opposition party, the party has identified the actions of Councilor Sohara Buhary, who voted in favor of the National People's Power (NPP/JVP) budget disregarding that decision, as a serious disciplinary breach. Accordingly, her party membership has been suspended with immediate effect through a letter issued today under the signature of the party's General Secretary, Mr. Nizam Kariyappar.

The letter states that despite having a clear understanding of the party's common stance and the personal instructions given by party leader Mr. Rauff Hakeem during the party group meeting to oppose the budget, the councilor acted contrary to them. The party's General Secretary has also ordered her to submit an affidavit within a week, explaining why disciplinary action should not be taken against her for this undisciplined behavior.

While 117 councilors voted in the previous ballot, this time the number decreased to 114. It is also reported that a United National Party (UNP) councilor was unable to cast his vote as he was hospitalized due to a sudden illness.